Sofia Court Clears Extradition of Bulgarian Drug Lord to Romania

Banev is wanted in Romania to stand trial for participation in organized crime group specializing in drug trafficking. Photo by BGNES

The Sofia City Court has allowed the extradition of drug lordEvelin Banev, aka Brendo, to Romania in connection with the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by the country.

Banev is wanted in Romania to stand trial for participation in organized crime group specializing in drug trafficking, according to reports of the BGNES news agency.

Judge Ivan Koev from the Sofia City Court approved the request that Banev be sent to Romania, without taking into consideration the recommendation of the prosecuting authority that all trials against Brendo in Bulgaria had to be wrapped up first before he could be extradited.

Romania will be obliged to return Banev to Bulgaria at its expense every time he has to attend court sittings related to an ongoing trial and pre-trial proceedings against him.

Tuesday's decision of the Sofia City Court can be protested in 7 days before the Sofia Appellate Court.

Banev was sentenced by an Italian court to 20 years in jail in July, as part of a trial dubbed the "Cocaine Kings".

He was subsequently returned to Bulgaria for another trial. Meanwhile, Romania issued a request for his extradition.